Winter is coming! (it really is, although it’ll be summer in the southern hemisphere woop woop). As we are fast approaching the final season of the year , where the days are short and the nights long, and like with our wardrobe, many of us will change up our lip colour to reflect the long, dark, gloomy days. For some unspoken reason, we tend to go from light and brighter colours in sheer or glossy textures to more bold, full-bodied, vampy hues. With that in mind, I thought I’d share with you my top lipstick picks for fall/autumn and winter. Some are old favourites and some are new to my lipstick wardrobe. All are fab shades though (and great for skin tones similar to mine, south east asian/ light to medium, warm with yellow undertones/equivalent to MAC NC25-NC40) and will see you right the way through the colder months.

Here goes. In no particular order:

Maybelline Colour Sensational Creamy Matte Lip Colour in the shade Touch of Spice is an easy to wear, everyday shade for this time of year. It’s that mauvey pink tone that’s not too dark but deeper than a your lips but better shade and a shade that I like to call a ‘transition’ shade, bridging the gap between the brighter shades and lighter formulas of the summer, and the deeper shades and bolder formulas of the fall and winter. The texture of the Colour Sensational Creamy Mattes are also worth noting because this is where the drugstore/high-street have stepped up their game, providing great colour payoff in a creamy, comfortable matte finish. Unfortunately this shade is not available in all territories (why Maybelline?). The US and OZ, yes, but not currently in the UK.

Maybelline Colour Sensational Creamy Matte in Touch of Spice

Colourpop’s Ultra Satin Lip in Barracuda is from their Fall 2016 collection and is described as a ‘warm, deepened rose’. Whilst it sure is a deepened shade, I’d hesitate to call it warm or a rose tone. For me, it veers on the cool side and is definitely more of a plum as opposed to a rose. Tom-ah-toes, tom-ay-toes. These are, hands down, my favourite liquid lipstick formula and whilst they aren’t transfer proof (nor do they claim to be), they stick around, comfortably, for an age providing a powerhouse of pigment.

Colourpop Ultra Satin Lip in Barracuda

Anastasia Beverly Hills’ Liquid Lipstick in Allison is a limited edition shade for Fall 2016. One could be deceived into thinking that this and Colourpop’s Barracuda were exactly the same colour but once the colours have dried down after application, they are most certainly not. Allison is lighter and more of a dark, mauvey rose (although it’s described as a pinky brown) and the formulations couldn’t be anymore different. Whilst the ABH formula might stick around for longer, it is less forgiving (especially on dry lips or prominent lines) than Colourpop’s Ultra Satin Lips. I like the colour but the formula might not be for everyone.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick in Allison

Nars Audacious in Audrey is a long time favourite of mine, in terms of shade and formulation (check out my review of the Nars Audacious Lipsticks here). Whilst I would probably pick a nude/MLBB shade over a dark, bold shade 9.5 times out of 10, this is one of my favourite darker lip colours. Described as a ‘red currant’, it’s got that pink undertone that I like and for me, makes it less intimidating than wearing a straight up red.

Nars Audacious Lipstick in Audrey

Colourpop Lippie Stix in Ellarie is a beautiful, deep cranberry shade with a matte finish. Despite being matte, it projects a little bit of a sheen and sits incredibly comfortably on the lips (the Colourpop Lippie Stix formulas definitely deserves more attention than they get). I like to wear this lip with minimal makeup. Maybe a slight contour on the lids with lashings of mascara, a super lightweight base (if any) so that my freckles still show through and maybe a touch of bronzer for definition. Keeping everything light will keep the look ‘un-done’ and can easily be worn no matter what time of day.

Colourpop Lippie Stix in Ellarie

The Sephora Lip Creme Stain in 01 Always Red is a straight up, no beating around the bush, loud and proud, stand to attention, red. And that scares me! Don’t get me wrong, it’s a true red, not too cool, not too warm and in one of the better liquid lipstick formulas that will last for hours on end. I have just always had a love/hate relationship with reds and really have to be in the mood to wear the colour. In the wrong mood, I let intimidation get the better of me. But if you’re after a true, long lasting, matte red, look no further. This is also of course, highly appropriate for the festive, holiday season. You’ll be giving Santa’s red outfit a run for his money.